The Deep South

[sdh080]

No not the American version but Southland...

I've got a video conference interview tomorrow for one of NZ's major employers and they've mentioned in conversation about me being flexible on location.

One of the locations is in Southland, can anyone give me some pointers on where to live and where not to live etc?

I'm sure it's not hard to work out the employer but without giving too much away the workplace would be commutable from Invercargill, Mataura, Gore etc.

Thanks.

[topcat83]

Originally Posted by sdh080

No not the American version but Southland...

I've got a video conference interview tomorrow for one of NZ's major employers and they've mentioned in conversation about me being flexible on location.

One of the locations is in Southland, can anyone give me some pointers on where to live and where not to live etc?

I'm sure it's not hard to work out the employer but without giving too much away the workplace would be commutable from Invercargill, Mataura, Gore etc.

Thanks.

From choice, I'd live in Dunedin. It's a University town, has an excellent teaching hospital, and has a bit of culture. Unlike Invercargill (next stop - Antarctica), which I must say I didn't like very much. But bear in mind we were just passing through on our 5 week tour of South Island...

Or Oamaru. Now we really liked there - and look out for the blue penguins by the railway sidings...

[sdh080]

Originally Posted by topcat83

From choice, I'd live in Dunedin. It's a University town, has an excellent teaching hospital, and has a bit of culture. Unlike Invercargill (next stop - Antarctica), which I must say I didn't like very much. But bear in mind we were just passing through on our 5 week tour of South Island...

Or Oamaru. Now we really liked there - and look out for the blue penguins by the railway sidings...

It's a bit further south than that unfortunately, the options for a reasonable commute would be Invercargill, Gore, Mataura or possibly Clinton.

The wife is from Dunedin so I know it very well

[Song_Si]

I'll be honest and say, not Southland!
Apart from its proximity to Queenstown there is little I can think of that appeals. And I wouldn't want to live in Queenstown either - nice for a visit though.
Mataura/Gore are as rough and uncultured as you'd find anywhere in NZ, known for their 'southern man' drinking culture and little else.
I had a partner for 6yrs from Invercargill and I dreaded going there. Dead. Working in medical recruitment I'm aware of the problems they had retaining staff - so often people arrived there from overseas and within a month they'd be calling us in Wellington asking re vacancies.

[sdh080]

Originally Posted by Song_Si

I'll be honest and say, not Southland!
Apart from its proximity to Queenstown there is little I can think of that appeals. And I wouldn't want to live in Queenstown either - nice for a visit though.
Mataura/Gore are as rough and uncultured as you'd find anywhere in NZ, known for their 'southern man' drinking culture and little else.
I had a partner for 6yrs from Invercargill and I dreaded going there. Dead. Working in medical recruitment I'm aware of the problems they had retaining staff - so often people arrived there from overseas and within a month they'd be calling us in Wellington asking re vacancies.

Good to know.

They've just asked me to be flexible and I thought I'd look into the different areas that they have roles, apart from Christchurch the rest are more "regional"

It'd be quite easy to go to Southland for say a year and transfer internally when an opportunity came up.

[topcat83]

How about Alexandra? Extremes of temperature though - it's a very continental weather pattern.
Nice little town though.